for these devices. The minimum feature size that we can cre- ate is 20 µm.”
Low-Friction Microsurfacing Technology Another key trend in micro manu-
facturing is reducing cost by creating surface microstructures on low-cost materials that give them the perfor- mance of a high-cost material, said Andrew H. Cannon, R&D manager, Hoowaki LLC (Pendleton, SC), a de- veloper of microstructures for com- mercially available extruded products. Hoowaki focuses on transforming surface structures of parts via engi- neered microstructures. “For example, we are enabling nylon and HDPE [high-density polyethylene] products to outperform PTFE [polytetrafluoroethyl- ene],” Cannon noted. “Another trend is enhancing the performance of the current product via surface microstruc- ture engineering. Sometimes we can enhance the performance while reduc- ing manufacturing cost.”
“The constant and sometimes relentless drive to miniaturization is pushing conventional micro-machining processes forward.”
Hoowaki has developed proprietary
processes to impart engineered micro- structures onto the surfaces of curved and flat tools, Cannon said. “Our applica- tion development and modeling efforts have produced a database of hundreds of micro designs validated and tested for specific product performance. We utilize existing designs where we can and adapt the designs as needed.”
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With its technology, Hoowaki has created 400-nm struc- tures over a 30-cm-long half cylinder mold insert, he added. “This is very different than high tolerances and often means creating the right microstructures to get the desired perfor-
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